FROM A NEW ENGLAND HILLSIDE. 113 



so familiar in all its phases. At such a 

 place, at such a time, one has a curiously 

 mingled sense of solitude and companion 

 ship. No one was near me ; no one knew 

 where I was, perhaps no one greatly 

 cared : 



I heard the trailing garments of the Night 



Sweep through her marble halls ! 

 I saw her sable skirts all fringed with light 



From the celestial walls ! 

 I felt her presence, by its spell of might, 



Stoop o er me from above ; 

 The calm, majestic presence of the Night, 



As of the one I love. 



But before and below me, here and there, 

 twinkled the home stars, around which were 

 gathered father and mother, sister and 

 brother yes and doubtless 



a dearer one 

 Still, and a nearer one 

 Yet than all other. 



Might I not venture to claim a part in all 

 this home-life, and, resting upon my solitary 

 terrace, drop a gentle thought to mingle 

 with, perhaps to fructify and stimulate the 

 lives which it should touch ? 



MAY 17, 1894. 



